Carbon reclaiming methods and apparatus



Aug. 28, 196 R. R. BUTTS ETAL CARBON RECLAIMING METHODS AND APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 INVENTORS RICHARD R. BUTTS EDWARD J. WHYTE, JR.

FIG. I

ATTORNEYS g- 28, 1962 R. R. BUTTS ETAL 3,051,554

CARBON RECLAIMING METHODS AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RICHARD R. BUTTS EDWARD J. WHYTE, JR.

BY @4 44, mma/MM ATTORNEYS ug. 8, 1962 R. R. BUTTS ETAL CARBON RECLAIMING METHODS AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g, uzmmmmxma lzig msxzo J 60): f 45 54 8 5 FIG. 3

INVENTORS R. BUTTS RICHARD EDWARD J. WHYTE, JR.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1962 R. R. BUTTS ETAL 3,051,554

CARBON RECLAIMING METHODS AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 11111111111111, I II!!! III Jinn/1,,

INVENTOR-S FI 8 RICHARD R. BUTTS B EDWARD J. WHYTE, JR.

ATTORNEYS United tates Patent 3,051,554 CARBON RECLAIMING METHQDS AND APPARATUS Richard R. Butts, Saginaw, and Edward J. Whyte, Jr.,

Bay City, Mich, assignors to Carbon Chemical Corporation, Bay City, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 856,984 23 Claims. (Cl. 23--209.8)

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the production of carbon black and more particularly to methods and means for reclaiming carbon from the exhaust gases of wells such as oil, gas, refinery gas, residual crude, and the like.

Producing wells of the character referred to above nearly always discharge combustible gases which are considered waste and are either burned near each well or piped to a central location for burning. The composition of suchgases varies from-region toregion, but most of them are-in the class comprising ethane, methane, ethylene, propane, mdbutane. The burning of such gases is required so as to avoid pollution of the air, but the burning of such gases represents an appreciable waste of the carbon content.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide efiective apparatus and methods for reclaiming a substantial proportion of the carbon content of the waste gases discharged from oil and gas wells.

Another'object of the invention is to provide apparatus for reclaiming carbon from the waste gases or" oil and gas wells and which is operated solely by the waste gases discharged firom such wells.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind referred to which is capable of use at or near the well site.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus and methods for pelletizing carbon reclaimed from the waste gases of oil and gas wells in connection with the reclaiming of carbon from such waste gases.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple, practical, and relatively inexpensive means for reclaiming carbon from the waste gases of oil and gas wells and which is automatic in its operation and requires no attention other than the removal of the accumulated reclaimed carbon.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind described which is self-regulating according to the quantity of the gas delivered to it.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

. FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line-22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a detail of the apparatus and looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8 in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8, but showing the apparatus in an adjusted position.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a cabinet or housing 1 formed of sheet metal or other suitable material such as Transite. The housing 1 may be supported in any manner, such as by legs 2 formed of angle iron or the like and welded or otherwise suitably secured to the housing. The housing includes a pair of opposed side walls 3 and 4, the latter wall being of double thickness and including insulation 5 of any suitable kind. The major portion of the bottom wall 6 of the housing is formed similarly to the side wall 4 and also is provided with the insulation 5. The housing further includes a top wall 7 which may be either rigidly secured to the remaining vertical walls or, alternatively, may be separable if desired. The outer housing structure is completed by a front wall 8 and a rear wall 9.

Means for collecting carbon comprises a drum member it having a peripheral shell 11 formed of stainless steel, Transite, ceramic, or any other suitable material, and being mounted on spiderlike frames 12 having hubs 13 which are fixed to a rotatable shaft 14 that is journaled in bearings 15 mounted on the opposed side walls 3 and 4 Near one end of the drum 10 the housing includes an insulated partition member 16 through which the drum 10 extends with just suflicient clearance to allow rotation of the latter, the partition 16 being spaced from the wall 4 so as to provide a chamber 17 therebetween. Adjacent to the 0pposite end of the drum is another partition 18 which is similar to the partition 16, except that it need not be insulated, and which provides a chamber 19 between itself and the side wall 3. The chamber 17 is vented at its top by a pipe 20 which passes through the top wall 7 and the chamber 19 is similarly vented by a stack 21 which also extends through the top wall 7. The arrangement of the chambers, the partitions, and the drum is such that air entering the pipe 21) is capable of passing from the chamber 17 to the chamber 19 through the drum 10, and being discharged from the chamber 19 through the stack 21. The purpose of this construction will be explained hereinafter.

The space between the two partitions 16 and 18 may be designated a combustion chamber 22. Adjacent to the bottom of the chamber 22, and spaced below the drum 10, is a gas burner 23 of arcuate or other suitable form and provided with a plurality of jets 24 directed towards the periphery of the drum 10. The burner 23 may be supported on legs 25 mounted on the bottom wall 6 of the housing.

-As is shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the lower wall 6 of the housing 1 is provided with a plurality of openings 26 by means of which air containing oxygen may enter the chamber 22 from outside the housing. Associated with the openings 26 is a valve plate 27 which is provided with a corresponding plurality of openings 28 and which are so spaced as to correspond to the spacing of the openings 26. The valve plate 27 is slideably mounted on the lower wall of the housing by means of guides 29, the arrangement being such that sliding movement of the plate 27 relative to the housing 1 regulates the extent to which the openings 26 are exposed and, consequently, controls the quantity of air which may be admitted to the chamber 22.

The burner 23 is adapted to be supplied with a combustible gas containing carbon from a source of such gas as an oil or gas well, or the like. Means for delivering gas from the source to the burner comprises a supply pipe 30 leading .from the well head (not shown) to a control valve 31. Adjacent to the inlet side of the control valve 31 is a branch pipe 32 which conducts gas from the source to a vane-type, rotatable, sparkless mo- 'tor of'known construction. 'motor 33 causes rotation of the latter and gas discharged from the motor is conductedby a pipe 34 to a rotatable discharged from the latter to the. burner 23. a

V 39,;includes a'.dr-iven shaft 43 that is connected drives the drum shaft 14 through a coupling 44. 7 7 r The construction and arrangement of the parts de-I scribed thus far are such that gas dischargedffrom the well head ;is conducted bylthe pipe 30 through fthel branch Gas introduced "to the pilot valve 35, also of known construction, which regulates the controlvalve 31-via a shaft-36 in'the usual manner.

Connected to the discharge side of the control valve 31' 'is a supply pipe 37 which leads to theburner 23 for V A branch 38 interconnects supplying the latter with gas. the pipe 37 and the pilot valve 35 so as to conduct gas T A particularly important characteristic of the invention is'that the carbon-collecting apparatus isdriven or powered by the gas fiom which the carbon is reclaimed.

Theineans by which the carbon-collecting apparatus is driven comprises agear reducer unit 39, preferably such as the. Boston Reductor. and, preferably, the unit 3? has cated immediately below the drum 1B, as a'result of which a reduction ratio of. 900 or l000:l. The rednction unit 39 includes a'shaft 40 Which-is driven from the shaft 41-. of thelmotor 33 through 'a coupling 42. and the unit to and 32; to' the motor 33 to cause rotation ofthe latter. Rotathe .flantie from, the burner will play on the drum shell 11. As also has beenfpointed outearlier, the drum is rotated by the passage of the" gas through the-motor and as a result .the drum rotates continuously as long as gas is being supplied tovthe burner. 7

IWheIieVer gases such :as .ethan'e, methane, ethylene,

propane and butane are combined with oxygen, one of the productspf the combustion is free carbon and another is watc /The Water of course, isnot liquid but is, rather, produced in the form of vapor. However, the

tion of the' motor 33 is transmitted to the reduction unit 39' to cause rotation of the latter, and'rotation of the unit 39 is transmitted-to the drum shaft 14 so as to cause rotation of the drum 10. 'All of the gas which enters the motor 33 is discharged therefrom'through the pipe 34 so as to cause rotation of the pilot valve 35, which rotation is -transmitted to the controlivalve 31. The ar-' ran-gement of the valve 31 is" such that no gas passes through the valve 31 unless the pressure of the gas in- =the'pipe is greater than that'required to operate. the

motor. 33. Consequently, a constant supply of gas to lthe motor 33 is assured. Gas discharged from the motor, and any gas passing through the valve 31, ultimately 'is received by 'thepipe'31 by means of which gas may be'conducted to the burner 23 for ignition. V V iGases'such as. those referred to earlier contain a sub-,

7" stantial amount of carbon which is released upon combustion of the gases.

It is well known. that the poorer the carbon is produced inits solid'state'and is deposited on the drum 'shell'1 1. .Dueto the rotation .of the drum at a speed proportional tothe supplyr of gas, "the deposition of carbon on. the drum will .be-substantially uniform.

J 3 Referring now to FIGURE 3,the apparatus includes an insulatedpartition 48.mounted between the front and rear walls of the housing '1. Thepartition, is'provided with a number of apertures 49 to permit-the vaporized products'of. combnstionto pass from the chamber 22 into a condensing chamber 50 defined by the partition 48 and the rear wall 9 of the housing: The upper end of the condensing chamber 50 is open to-a stack 51 which com- :municates with atmosphere.

Means is provided in the combustion chamber 2 for separating deposited carbon from the drum shell 11 and combustion of such gases, the greater is the amount of Q carbon that is not consumed in the flame. Consequently,

it'is preferred that the combustion'of the gases in the .chamber 22 be relatively poor so as to assure-a high percentage of free carbon as a product of the combustion.- One Way in which the quality of the combustion of the gases may be controlled is to burn the gases in'an airor oxygen-starved atmosphere; There must, of course, be sufficient oxygen to support combustion of the gases,

Jbustion chamber to provide the highly'efficient combustion desired in tgas'ovens, for example.

-In apparatus constructed in accordance with the invenbut there should not be sufiicient'oxygen in the corn:

tion, the amount of air or oxygen adm-ited to the ch-am- 7,

her 221i's controlled by the valve plate 27. When the valve plate 27 is in the position shown in FIGURES 2 or 8, the amount of air which can be introduced to the chamber 227is a maximum. When theva'lve plate '27 is in the position shown in FIGURE 9,'the amount of air Which'can be introduced to the chamber 22 is less than the maximum. The gas pressure of gas, oil and the like wells'irequently varies and, consequently, the quantity of gas delivered .to the burner 23 may vary from time to time. In order to regulate the supply of air in accord- 'ance with the supply of gas, the invention includes a friction clutch of known construction driven from the reducer unit 39 -and having a crank 46 received in a slot "47 provided in the valve plate 27. The construction of the clutch and valve parts is such that an increase of speed in the reduction unit 39 causes a corresponding increase in speed-of the clutch 45 so as to effect shifting of the crank 46and movement of the plate 27 in a direction to align more perfectly the openings 28 and 26 so as to comprises a scraper blade 52 having brackets 53 fixed at its ends; On the bottom wall 6 of the cabinet is a pair of supports 54 on which the scraper blade 52 is pivotally mountedby means of pins 55 passing through the parts 54 andthrough the brackets 53. The arrangement of the blade 52lis such that one of its edges engages the drum shell 11 and scrapes the surface of the latter during rela- V tive movement of the drum and the scraper so as to dislodge carbon from thedrnm. In time the blade 52 will wear, and to assure maintaining it in engagement with the ,drum, a weight 56 may be mounted at the end of an arm'57 which in turn issecured to the blade 52 in such manner as to exert'a' constant forceon the latter tending to cause it to bear against the drum shell 11.; r r

Qarbonseparated from the drum by the scraper blade 52 slides down the latter by gravity and is discharged through an opening60 inthebottom wall of the housing.

Asis best shown in FIGURE 5, the rear face of the scraper blade 52 is equipped with a deflector 61 which causes the carbonjto be discharged from the scraper blade adjacent to' one side of the latter.

7 Below the discharge opening 60 are panel members 62 and 63 which are shaped to define atrough 64 into which the carbon drops from the .blade52. At the-bottom of the trough. is a feed worm 65 including a shaft 66 that is journaled at one .endin a bearing 67 on thesidewall of the housing. The other end ofthe shaft extends through a bearing 68 at the opposite sidepfjthehousing and has fixed thereon either a pulley ora sprocket wheel 69. The arrangement is such that. the 'worm '65 may be rotated in a direction to teed carbon :from the trough through an opening 70 in the side wall. The size of the opening 70 is relatively small, as is best shown in FIGURE 5, so as to minimize the possibiilty of 'air enterin g the chamber 22 throughthe opening 70. V A K 7 r Carbon removed from the drum 10 is dry 'and amor- 7 addition of water and apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention includes means for adding moisture to'the carbon collected from the drum 10. Such means '45, and a crank like the crank 46.

comprises refrigeration apparatus of a well known, gasoperated type. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration apparatus includes a gas-fired compressor 71 mounted on the frame, gas being supplied to the latter through a pipe 72 branching off from the burner supply pipe 37. Refrigerant is pumped by the compressor through a line 73 toa condenser 74, whence it passes through a pipe 75 to cooling coils 76 located in the condensing chamber 50 in such manner as to lie in the pathof the vaporized products of combustion passing from the combustion chamber 22 to the exhaust stack 51. The refrigerant is returned from the cooling coils 76 through return lines 77.

The arrangement of the cooling coils 76 is such that passage of the hot, vaporized products of combustion around the coils causes condensation of some of the moisture. The condensate falls upon the wall 63 and enters the trough 64, where it mixes with the carbon to form a somewhat pasty substance.

The mixture of carbon and water is driven out the discharge end of the trough 64 by the worm 65 and drops by gravity into pelletizing apparatus 78 which may be supported on one of the legs 2 by any suitable means such as by welding. The pelletizing apparatus includes a cylindrical canister 79 having a bottom wall 80 provided with a plurality of uniform perforations 81 therein. The bottom wall 80 preferably is removably supported on the canister 79 by means such as screws 82 so as to permit the substitution of bottom panels having different size perforations.

Extending through the canister '79 and through the wall 80 is a shaft 83 to which is fixed a pair of supporting arms 84. At corresponding ends of each of the arms 84 is journaled a spindle 85 on which is mounted a frustoconical roller 86 which bears against the upper surface of the bottom plate 88. The radially inner ends of the spindles 85 may be journaled in a block 87 fixed to the shaft 83. Also fixed on the shaft 83 is a pair of knives or blades 88 radiating from a hub 89 that receives the shaft 83, the knives 88 being mounted below the bottom plate 80 in such position as to'scrape the lower surface thereof. The knives 88 are removably maintained on the shaft 83 by means of a nut 90.

The construction and arrangement of the pelletizing parts are such that rotation of the shaft 83 causes the rollers 86 to force the pasty mixture of carbon and water through the perforations of the bottom plate 80. The extruded substance is severed from the bottom plate by the knives 88 in pellet form and the pellets are collected in a container 91.

The quantity of condensate to be mixed with the carbon can be controlled in a number of ways. One way is to vary the amount of combustion products that are permitted to enter the chamber 50. In the disclosed embodiment, a valve plate 27a, similar in all respects to the valve 27, is mounted in slides 2.9a on the partition 48. The plate 27a may be shifted back and forth similarly to the valve 27 by means of a friction clutch 450, like the clutch The arrangement is such that the faster the motor 33 operates, the more the openings 49 are exposed so as to permit a greater amount of combustion products to enter'the chamber 50. Conversely, the slower the motor operates, the lesser is the amount of combustion products permitted to enter the chamber 50. As a result, the condensation of water is proportional to the production of carbon. Combustion products not admitted to the chamber 50 may be discharged through a vent 58a that is regulated by a weighted damper 50b mounted to rock on spindles 50c.

Means for driving the pelletizer shaft 83 and its associated parts comprises a gear box 92 mounted on the housing 1 by means of a bracket 93, the gear box containing bevel or other suitable gearing (not shown) which is driven from a shaft 94 on which is fixed a pulley or sprocket Wheel 95. The pulleys 95 and 69 are aligned 6 with a pulley or sprocket wheel 96 that is fixed to the drum shaft 14, and trained around the elements 95, 96 and 69 is a chain or belt 97. It may be convenient to make use of an idler pulley or sprocket wheel 98, as is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, to prevent interference between the chain or belt 97.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the arrangement of the driven shafts 14, 94, =66,'and 83 is such that all of them are driven from the motor 33. As has been pointed out earlier, the speed ofthe motor 33 will vary according to the pressure of the gas discharged at the well head. Consequently, the speed of operation of the carbon reclaiming apparatus and the pelletizing apparatus will be proportional to the supply of gas to the burner 23.

In the event amorphous carbon is desired, the refrigeration apparatus in the chamber 50 can be disabled so as to prevent the condensation of moisture. The carbon then can be discharged into the'canister 79. If desired, the bottom can be removed so as to allow the carbon to fall directly into the container.

It is preferred that means he provided for cooling-the drum 18 so as to prevent its becoming so hot as to burn any of the carbon deposited thereon. Such cooling means is provided in apparatus constructed according to the invention and includes a second refrigeration unit similar to the unit previously described and comprising a gas fired compressor 100 to which gas is delivered through a pipe 101 that branches oif from the burner supply pipe 37. Refrigerant is delivered through a pipe 102 to a condenser 1G3 and thence through a pipe 194 to cooling coils 105 that are mountedin the chamber 17. The coils 105 are so located as to set up convection currents through the housing 1 and in such manner that air enters the chamber through the vent 20, passes through the interior of the drum 10,-and is-discharged through the stack 21.

Apparatus of the kind disclosed herein is adapted to be used inconjunction with individual oil and gas wells of the kind referred to earlier and may be housed in small sheds or the like fairly close to the well head. Once the apparatus is connected to the source of the gas, it will function unattended and without any external power source.

It should be understood thatboth the burner and the refrigeration apparatus include pilot light devices fed by gas pipes leading from the supply pipe 30. Such devices.

are conventional and are not considered necessary to illustrate.

In many instances, the temperature of the outside air is such that refrigeration apparatus in the condensing chamber 50 may be dispensed with. In those instances, a plurality of hollow, thin wall pipes 106 may be fixed in the side Walls of the cabinet in such manner that their ends are open to atmosphere so as to permit cold air to enter the pipes. Passage of the hot, vaporized products of combustion over the cold pipes will cause condensation in a manner analogous to that previously described.

This disclosure is representative of presently preferred apparatus and methods, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for producing carbon black by the burning of a combustible gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising burner means for burning said gas; means for conducting said gas from a source thereof to said burner means; carbon collector means; means movably mounting said collector means in a position adjacent to said burner means so that combustion products impinge on said collector uneans; separator means in contact with said collector means for separating collected carbon therefrom; and'driving means located in the path'of gas from said source and connected to said collector means it from said housing.

' condensate to the collected carbon.

for effecting movements thereofi'said driving means he'- 7 'ing driven by gas from said source. a v t 2,;Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means is variable in speed-according'to'the fiowof 7 gas through said conducting means.

3. A method of reclaiming carb onfrom ag as containside saidxhousing into contact with said drum; and :re-

firi-gerating said air'prior to its contact withsaid whereby said air is'capableofcooling said drum.

1 4. A method of reclaiming carbon from a gas' containing carbon comprising burning said gas within aholis- 1 ing' in an-oxygentstarved atmosphere to form frcecarbon 'and other products of combustionfregulating' the amount 7 of oxygen in said'housing in direct proportion to the the quantity of gas burned for collecting said free carbon; and-exhausting said other products of combustion ductingrgas fr'om a source thereof to said burner means; a

movable carbon collecting meniber'mounted adjacent to said burnerimeans'imthe path of the'productsof combus'tion' to have rUDlJIlIIledQCaI'bOII deposited-thereon; a

V separator membermounted in'engagementwith said colmeans for re'ceivingthe carbon separated from said collecting'member'by said separator member; and means extending betweenisaidseparator means and-saidreceiving 7 quantity of gas burned; rotating 'a collectingtdrum adja- V cent said burning 'gas at a speediu direct'proportion to V means'for delivering separated car-bonther'etof lOfThe apparatus set'forth in claim 9 including pelletizing means for'pelletizing said separated carbon; means for delivering said separated carbon fromj said receiving means to said Vpelletizing means; and driving means interconnecting said gas operated 'driving means and said pelletizing means" for operatingthe latterp, 11. Apparatus 'for producing carbon-black by the burna ing of a combustible gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising a housing; burner means supported by said I ,5. Apparatus for producing carbon black by the burning of -a gas containing carbon, said apparatus compris "ing burner means for burning said gas to form products of combustion including carbon; means for conducting said gas from a source thereof to said burner'meansprotatable; collector means; means mounting said collector meaus for rotation through the products of combustion; separator means'in engagement with said collector means for separating collected carbon therefrom; and driving 'means driven by gas from said source and connected. to 'said' collector means for rotating the latter. 7 I

' 6. Apparatus for producingcarbon black by the burn- "ing of a combustible gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising burner means for burning said gas to produce products of combustion including carbon; means for conducting said gas from a source thereof .to saidrburner" means; movable carbon collector means; means mounting 1 said collector means for movement through the products 'of, combustion; carbon separator means in contact with J said collectormeans for separating collected carbonirom said collector means; flue means for conducting said prodnets of combustion along a path leading away'from said collector means; driving means connected to sa'id'collector means for eflecting movements thereof; gas operated frefrigeration means located in said flue means for cooling the combustion products of said burner means; ,and'delivery means connecting said refrigeration means and said source for delivering gas from the latter to said refrigerationmeans. 3 V

7, The apparatus set forth in claim'6 wherein the oper- "ation of said refrigeration means is such as to cause con- 7 densation of Water, and including means for delivering 8. Apparatus for producing carbon black by the burning of a combustible gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising burner means for burning'said gas to produce products of combustion including carbon; means for conductingtsaid gas from a source thereof to said burner f means; carbon collector means mounted adjacent to said burner means in the path of the products of combustion to have unburned carbon deposited thereon; means for delivering air into contact with said carbon collector means; gas operated refrigeration means mounted in the V path of said air delivered to said collector means for cooling the latter to minimize; the possibility of burning'carbon on said collector means; and means connected tojsaid refrigeration means for supplying the latter with gas from said source. 7 j a 9. Apparatus for producing carbon black by the burning of a combustible gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising burner means for burning said gas to; produce products of combustion including carbon; means for conhousing for burning said gas to produce products of combustion including carbon; meansifor conducting "gas from asource thereof to'said burner means; a carbon collector member movably mounted in said housing in a position to move through the products 'ofrcombustion; a separator member mounted in said housing in contact with said collector member for separating collected carbon therefrom; driving means connected to saidicollector member and drivenby gas from said source, said housing having openingsthe'rein through which air maybe admitted to said housing; valve means supported by said housing and associated with said openings'for varying the amount of air that maybe admitted to said housing; and control means operable by gas from said source and connected to said valve means for varying the latter in accordance With the rate arrow of'said gas. l l

'12. Apparatus for reclaiming carbon by the combustion of a gas containing carbon, said apparatus comprising burner means for burning said gas to produce products of combustion'including carbon; means for supplying said burner means'with gas from a source thereof; collector means mountedin the path of the products of combustion for collecting carbon released by combustion of said gas; separator meansiin contact with said collector means for removing carbon from said collector means; receiver means mounted to receive carbon removed fromrsaid collector means; means extending between said separator means andsaid receiving means for delivering carbon from said separator 'mean s to said receiver means; means in said receiving means for pelletizing carbon therein; and gas operated driving me'ans'in said gassupplyin g means between said source and said burner means and connected to said'pelletizing means for operating the latter.

" 13. Apparatus for reclaiming carbon by the combustion 'of a' gas containing carbou, said apparatuscomprising a housing; burner means mounted in said housing for burningsaid gas to produce products of combustion including carbon; a carboncollecting member movably mounted in said housing over said burner means; a scraper member in contact with said collector member to 'rcmov'e carbon therefrom; gas operated driving means connected'to said' collecting member; supply means fordelivering said gas from its source to said driving'means 'for operating the latter; means in communication 'With'sai d source for delivering gas to said burner meaus; means mounted in said housing forireceiving'carbon removed from said collector member; means extending'between said scraper member andjsaid receiving-means for delivering carbon thereto; flue means in said housing for conducting the products of combustion away from said collector member; means in said flue means for coolingsaid products of combustion to form condensate; means for delivering said condensate to said carbon'receiving means; driven mea ns -in said receiving means for pelletizing carbon therein; and means interconnecting said driving means and said driven means for driving the latter.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said housing has openings therein for the passage of air into said housing, and including valve means operable by said driving mews for metering the passage of air to said housing.

15. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said cooling means comprises gas operated refrigeration apparatus having means for supplying the latter with gas from said source.

16. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said housing has openings leading to said fiue means and including valve means for metering the quantity of products of combustion passing through said openings to said flue means.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 wherein said pelletizing means comprises a canister having a perforated wall and wherein said driven means includes an element in said canister movable relatively to said wall for extruding carbon through the perforations of said Wall.

18. The apparatus set forth in claim 17 wherein said driven means includes blades adjacent to but outside of said perforated wall for severing carbon extruded through the perforations.

19. The apparatus set forth in claim 13 including openings in said housing for admitting air to said carbon collector member for cooling the latter, and including refrigeration means in the path of said air for cooling the latter.

20. The apparatus set forth in claim 19 wherein the refrigeration means is gas operated, and including means for supplying the latter with gas from said source.

21. A method of reclaiming and pelletizing carbon from a gas containing carbon comprising burning said gas within a housing in an oxygen starved atmosphere to form free carbon and other products of combustion; depositing said free carbon by impingement on a surface; exhausting said other products of combustion from said housing; separating said carbon from said surface; collecting said separated carbon; cooling said other products of combustion during the exhaust thereof to cause condensation of water; mixing said water and said collected carbon;

and forming the mixture into pellets.

22. A method of reclaiming carbon from a gas under pressure containing carbon comprising burning said gas inefficiently to produce products of combustion including carbon; moving by means of the pressure of said gas a member through the products of combustion to collect carbon released by the combustion of said gas; and separating from said member carbon collected thereon.

23. A method of reclaiming carbon from a gas containing carbon comprising burning said gas inefiiciently to produce products of combustion including carbon; passing a collector member through the products of combustion at a speed directly proportional to the quantity of gas burned; and removing from said collector member carbon deposited thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 205,955 Hallock et al July 16, 1878 706,001 Ogilvy July 29, 1902 1,541,860 Sharpe June 16, 1925 2,213,059 Teegerstrom Aug. 27, 1940 2,835,562 Boyer et a1 May 20, 1958 

3. A METHOD OF RECLAIMING CARBON FROM A GAS CONTAINING CARBON COMPRISING BURNING SAID GAS WITHIN A HOUSING IN AN OXYGEN STARVED ATMOSPHERE TO FORM FREE CARBON AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION; ROTATING A COLLECTING DRUM ADJACENT SAID BURNING GAS; CIRCULATING AIR FROM OUTSIDE SAID HOUSING INTO CONTRACT WITH SAID DRUM; AND REFRIGERATING SAID AIR PRIOR TO OITS CONTACT WITH SAID DRUM WHEREBY SAID AOIR IS CAPABLE OF COOLING SAID DRUM. 